Two Choices

(Proverbs 31:3 KJV)  Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

When you read this verse out of context it would be easy to look at this as a warning against revolution or rebellion.  We seemed to be warned not to destroy our political leaders.  When you read it in context you see that the author is one of the “kings” (4428) and the advice comes from his mother.  So what are we being warned about?

I would suggest, at least today, that this is a warning against self-destructive behavior.  In this context the specific warnings seem to be about whom you marry and what you drink.  Marriage is understood as a one time choice.  Drinking is something that faces us every day.  Either one can determine the direction of our life.  Of course our important decisions cover more ground that this.  The concern is the same.

So?  It would really help if we could develop a long term approach to decisions.  A friend of my wife once said that she should decide on the basis of what she would feel good about in ten years.  Wisdom is necessary on a regular basis.